Mark101

No mate, it’s an overall loss because I accrue £10 per day in stock (covers overheads on top on recon) and take that figure off the gross margin. So, I don’t lose on the initial capital outlay but I won’t draw a wage from the car because it hasn't really earned it. I know what I mean but just to help, here’s a hypothetical example Metal cost - £1,000 Sell - £3,000 Gross Profit = £2,000 Less Vat - £333 Less Recon - £500 Less 20 days in stock @ £10 per day - £200 Pre tax profit - £967 The DS3 will show at least a £2k loss pre tax but still positive over acquisition and recon.

To be fair, mine only had 83k with very full history and was the nav version, had full discs and pads (just before I bought it). Only one person interested and they were desperate for a rare? red one. Good idea re Halfords nav system.

£1295

That site wants levelling and rebuilding, it isn’t aligned well with BCA’s market leading presence. Have you tried Wolverhampton David?

At my end of the market, I don’t think Brexshit, Black Friday, Cyber Monday et al make any difference - there is always, always something going on to affect sales but people don’t necessarily aspire to own my stock, they just need a car for whatever reason. My second best month this year.

Mine went live on thursday afternoon, it just happened.

I’ve had a tidy month, despite a slow start with two dippers ready to be logged for December (one just collected from home, drove back in it last night).

Exactly my issue too. The DS3 is lovely (I’m using it, the one that the injector failed but now 100%). I’m taking the day off today and guess what, someone wants to see it (called twice) - I shall call him tomorrow because I really am not in the mood to drive to the unit, clean it in the hope he proceeds when I promised myself a day off (wedding reception tonight).

Where does the term purple patch come from - I see it written here a lot and know what you’re inferring but why purple?

Same again here - Quick KPI - 4 units break even, 6 units a wage and 8+ a very nice income making it all worth it.

My refurber is amazing - all wheels are chemically stripped, repaired and then powder coated - £45 a corner They also have that machine (or similar) for diamond cut refurb - £65 a corner

I love the buzz of an auction, always have from when I first went aged 18 (first dabble a trading cars). What I hate is the stupid parking arrangements. I bought a transporter because I was buying between 2 and 5 a week from BCA Wolverhampton (a nice clean modern site, the polar opposite of BCA Walsall). A few weeks ago, they suddenly fenced off the customer parking completely, relocated it on some land nearby and put on a shuttle bus service. I was never their biggest customer, so my lack of presence will be of no concern to them but I am not hanging around waiting for that one shuttle bus to collect me, nor am I walking down a dual carriageway in the cold, dark and rain - so I buy elsewhere or online now. I hate the cold, that is my biggest gripe with auctions

You acquired that car around the same time as I bought the exact same model (in red). Naively, I didn’t consider the RFL fee or the colour at the time, I fell in love with the sound. I panicked it wouldn’t sell but that one right person bought it and tipped me £1800 plus a newer silver TT 1.8 roadster in chop, which sold 2 days later to a repeat customer for another healthy drink. Not boasting, this was one of my best deals to date; it was to labour the point that there is no rhyme or reason to this game.

It depends whether you mean from start of application of from submission to FCA. From start of application, just under 2 months - Close helped me. From submission of completed application - less than 2 weeks

Struggling to nick anything at the moment though

What's the longest you have ever had a car in stock? I shall start: Citroen DS3 in red - 47K been priced between £5-6k (I fluctuate to gain interest/or not). 2 Owners, 2 Keys, FSH and timing belt (had it done before I read the intervals ) Nothing wrong with the car and people visiting always comment on what a lovely looking mint car it is (whilst they have come to view something else). Purchased in May 18

There are a few ways to avoid this and it doesn't require a study to know how harmful these fumes are: I only enter the hall to bid on stuff, not just stand there aimlessly waiting. Stand outside or cafe in between lots. I do buy mainly online now, which reduces exposure by 100% Wear a mask

I had a 500S in white with (what I would call) Graphite wheels - it looked lovely (every day for about 4 months )

Best post I have read in a long while, really motivational - thank you. Please can I ask what you stock profile looks like. I love the add-ons but at my end of the market (£5k ish retail stock), I am reluctant to extend (self administered) warranties. I have just obtained FCA approval though, so an exciting opportunity to earn some extra £££££'s as you put it.

When I ran the last business, I got bored of telling the sales team that an order isn’t an order until the money is in. Occasionally, there are deposited deals that don’t come through, either due to a change of mind or a fault developing. This is why I have always counted monthly sales as money in the bank deals. I wanted to squeeze those extra 2 in November making the month my second best to date (unit sales) but I’m going to stick to what I have been doing to date as like Simon says - you can’t change the benchmark.

I shall leave it as a good start to December then (and hope these 2 do not end up as the grand total)

Do you guys count number of sales at point of deposit or point of collection/payment? Only asking because I have two deposited which are being collected Saturday and Wednesday - do they count?

+1 here Andy

I would touch in the bumper with a touch up pen and ignore the wheels. If a customer mentions them, use an offer to refurb as a way to close the deal.

I always look to do something when it is quiet but motivating myself to go out in the cold and wet weather doesn't help. I have a new plan - to earn enough money to never see another winter.